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“This man had taken an overdose of something called Purple Ronnies,” he said. “It appears to be one of the so-called legal highs.”

The term legal high is used to cover everything from everyday chemicals – such as fertiliser – to drugs which are similar to cocaine or ecstasy but have been chemically altered just enough to mean they are no longer covered by the drug legislation.

Insp Davidson added: “I want to remind people of the dangers of these types of drugs.

“These ‘legal highs’ can be extremely dangerous.

“We want people to be careful what they are taking: just because it is a so-called legal high does not mean it is safe to take.

“In many cases this simply means it has not yet been classified.”

The drugs are described as dark green and smaller than the size of Paracetamol pills.

Anyone with information about the tablets should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, Cumbria’s interim director of public health, said Purple Ronnies have been known to cause panic attacks, hallucinations and delusions, some of which could be frightening.

“If you or someone else thinks they are having a serious negative reaction soon after taking a drug, seek help immediately, call 999, contact a medic or go straight to the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital,” she added.